Rodimus prime....what went wrong?

[minion]

I like Rodimus Prime. Sure he isn't as bad ass as Optimus, but if he was the same and just v.2 of Optimus then he'd still be seen as inferior. I liked that they at least tried to do something different with the self doubting personality, even if it didn't come off as well as it could have. I feel that the G1 Ultra Magnus in the Marvel comics run had a much better version of this kind of personality, always doubting that he could beat Galvatron.
The Dark Awakening episode is one of my favourite G1 cartoon episodes, if only to see Rodimus (or Hot Rod) step up to the plate a bit (plus zombie Op' rules). That episode was also the only time I ever liked Hot Rod. He was a tool in the movie, but had he been given time to grow into the leader role like Cheetor in BW/BM I may have warmed to him.